Posted on 10/19/2025 11:12:23 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
The robbers reached a first-floor window and cut through glass panes to gain access to the museum's gilded Galerie d'Apollon
The Louvre Museum in Paris has been forced to close while police investigate a brazen heist which reportedly targeted France's priceless crown jewels.
Thieves wielding power tools broke into the world's most visited museum in broad daylight, before escaping on scooters with items said to be of "incalculable" value.
Here is what we know about the crime which has stunned France.
How did the theft unfold?
The theft occurred on Sunday between 09:30 and 09:40 local time, shortly after the museum opened to visitors.
The thieves appear to have used a mechanical ladder to gain access to the Galerie d'Apollon (Gallery of Apollo) via a balcony close to the River Seine.
Pictures from the scene showed a vehicle-mounted ladder leading up to a first-floor window.
The thieves are then said to have cut through glass panes with an angle grinder or chainsaw to gain access to the museum.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati told French news outlet TF1 that footage of the theft showed the masked robbers entering "calmly" and smashing display cases containing the jewels.
No one was injured in the incident, with Dati saying there been "no violence, very professional".
She described the thieves as seemingly being "experienced" with a well-prepared plan to flee on scooters.
The thieves approached the building from the River Seine bankside
Investigators believe three or four suspects were involved and are studying CCTV footage from the escape route.
The whole raid happened "very, very fast", Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told France Inter radio, and was over in a handful of minutes.
One witness described scenes of "total panic" as the museum was evacuated. Later images showed entrances closed off with metal gates.
Police and staff ushered confused crowds away from the Louvre
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
The Shadow
Montenegro is the place... there have been big heists in the past in Paris @diff jewelers..there are gangs and they work out of there,; serbs, croats, some slavsrussians & other assorted felons
Well, it stands the reason I would’ve forgotten a few. The shadow was one I should’ve thought about.
You did great...there are so many!
Green Hornet, Cannon, Johnny Dollar...and more I’m sure!
Some people appreciate these things as works of art.
So the Louvre’s armed security guards could not shoot at the burglars, even as the burglars were going down a motorized bin in their escape???
It was Scarmanga, trying to put his parts back together. THe Doctor will stop him.
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